Question

A 16-year-old boy with asthma and a history of peanut allergy develops sudden wheeze, stridor, generalised urticaria and vomiting within minutes of eating a biscuit containing peanuts. In the emergency department he is anxious, tachycardic and has a blood pressure of 95/60 mmHg. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Administer intramuscular adrenaline into the lateral thigh and position him lying flat with legs elevated

Answer

Give multiple high-dose salbutamol nebulisers first, then consider adrenaline if he fails to respond

Answer

Give intravenous hydrocortisone and chlorphenamine as first-line treatment

Answer

Provide oxygen only and observe closely while arranging allergy testing

Answer

Obtain intravenous access and commence an adrenaline infusion as the first intervention

Practice question